Tagore bust adorns Macquarie Uni

He was a poet, litterateur, novelist, musician, Nobel Laureate and the composer of the national anthems of two nations, India and Bangladesh. Rabindranath Tagore was a polymath.

To honour his 150th birth anniversary, Macquarie University unveiled and garlanded a bust of Tagore recently. Presented by Mr Amit Dasgupta, Consul General of India for Sydney, the bust came on behalf of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Indian Government.

The presentation of the Tagore bust was the latest move as part of the multidisciplinary project known as ‘Ektaal: The Great India Project’, which began about two years ago with the aim of enhancing understanding between the Indian and Australian cultures, and building international relationships between the two nations.

The project hopes to build new partnerships and increase research and cultural prospects by providing both academic exchanges and student scholarships, as well as access to concerts and performances.

Prof. Schwartz, Vice-Chancellor said, “It’s a real opportunity for us to have this bust of Rabindranath Tagore because here at Macquarie University, we’re engaged in a great Indian project, which we call Ektaal, in which we’re trying to imbue many parts of the university with the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Indian arts, Indian culture and Indian business.”

He added, “And this sculpture can provide a symbolic centre for the whole program”.

Others who attended the ceremony included members of the Bengali Association of NSW, including its President Biswajit Gupta; Macquarie Chancellor Mr. Michael Egan; Vice-Chancellor Prof. Steven Schwartz and Executive Dean Faculty of Arts, Prof. John Simons.

Prof. Simons said the Tagore bust and the garden symbolises Macquarie University’s commitment to India and international cultures in general.

“Because even though Tagore was a Bengali, I think he also would’ve described himself as a citizen of the world. And that’s also a very important thing we would like to stress at Macquarie,” he stated. “Because of our great interest in India here we see Tagore as being a figure that brings all of our interest together: art, literature, education and humanitarian concern for the whole world. So Tagore is a very important figure for Macquarie”.

He added that he was pleased to see many members of the Bengali association in attendance at the ceremony.

Rabindranath Tagore believed teaching and education should ignite curiosity. Aptly placed in an educational institution, his bust now sits in a quiet, outdoor study area at the University, with trees surrounding it.

Adjacent to the bust is a new Indianthemed garden, funded by the Bengali Association of NSW. Mr. Gupta presented a cheque to the University.

Mr. Gupta said the first time he met Prof. Simons was two years ago at Tagore’s birth anniversary celebration, which they hold every year in May. Professor Simons was the chief guest at that event, and the association has continued.

“So when this bust was announced to be installed, we decided to partner with Macquarie University and help them out,” Mr. Gupta said.

The government of India has recognised the growing partnership between India and Australia and in collaboration with Macquarie University, has agreed to help fund the Tagore Chair in Arts and Culture.

It has already begun by donating many India-related books to the University.

The Universioty of New South Wales has a bust of Mahatma Gandhi on its campus, installed in 2010.

Malavika Santhabennur